The NRF estimates that American families with children in kindergarten through high school will spend an average of $669.28 this year for a total of $26.5 billion, according to the survey. Also, college students and their parents will spend an average $916, up 10 percent for a total of $48.4 billion, the survey found.

Improvements in the economy boosted consumer confidence, which led to more spending on items such as laptops, tablets, smartphones and other electronic items needed by students, the NRF says.

“We expect parents to continue to use caution but also make smart decisions for their family budget that are a good balance between what their children want and what they actually need,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said in a news release.

The amount families are expected to spend on back-to-school shopping surprised Montgomery County parent Kate Amin.

“No way! I didn’t spend anywhere near that,” she said.

But Amin and other people in Montgomery County said that number sounds high for them.